Mower



2 shets sheet 1.

(No Model.)

M. KANE.

MOWER.

No. 580,868. Patented Apr. 20, 1897.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2 KANE. MOWER (No Model.)

No. 580,868. Patented Apr. 20, 1897. v

UNiTEn STATES ATENT ()FFICE.

MAURICE KANE, OF AUSTIN, ILLINOIS.-

MOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 580,868, dated April20, 1897.

Application filed September 18, 1896. Serial No. 606,213. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MAURIOE KANE, a citizen of the UnitedStates,-residing at Austin, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mowers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to mowers.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction andarrangement of machines of this class and to render the same moreefficient in operation.

The invention consists, substantially, in the combination, construction,location, and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings and finallyspecifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views andreferencesigns appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a view in plan, partsbeing broken off, of a mowing-machine embodying the principles of myinvention. Fig. 2 is aview in side elevation of the same, parts beingbroken away and parts in section. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional viewof the same on the line 3 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of thearrows. Fig. 4 is a broken detail view, in side elevation, showing thecam-sleeve and its operating-handle and connections for shifting themain frame. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view of theconstruction shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view ofthe same on the line 6 6, Fig. 5.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

In the drawings, reference-sign A designates the traction-wheels of themower; B, the axle supporting the same; 0, the ratchetgeari-ng forcoupling the traction-wheels to the axles, whereby said wheels arecoupled to rotate in unison with each other and with the axle B in onedirection, but are capable of independent rotation in the otherdirection; D, the main frame, suitably sleeved to rock upon the axle Band supporting the finger-bar E and its operating mechanism; F, thegyrating gear from which the cutter is actuated; G, the shoe; II, thelever by which the extreme outer end of the finger-bar is raised andlowered; J, the lever for changing the inclination of the finger-bar inthe direction of travel of the machine; K, the tongue of the mower, andL the plate for supporting the tongue.

The parts so far referred to may be of any usual, ordinary, orwell-known construction, and the specific construction and arrangementthereof, being Well known in the art, require no special descriptionherein.

In the usual construction of mowers of the type to which the presentinvention relates the main frame D, upon which is supported thefinger-bar and its operating mechanism, is sleeved to rock upon thedrivingaxle B, as above indicated and as shown in the drawings. Thegyrating gear F for actuating the cutter is mounted on the main frame,and said main frame is mounted to slide longitudinally upon the axle Bin order that said gear may be moved into and out of engagement with adriving-gear mounted 011 the axle B in the usual manner. This movementof the main frame D to effect the engagement or disengagement of saidgears is effected in the following manner, particular reference beinghad to Figs. 4, 5, and 6: The part M of the ratchet-gear O is rigidlymounted on the axle B to rotate therewith, as by means of the pin N,said part M comprising a sleeve, as shown, in which is provided aperipheral groove 0. A shifting lever or handle P, provided with a hub,is sleeved upon the sleeve of part M, and said hub is provided with aperipheral groove Q, arranged to receive the flange R, formed by thegroove 0 in said sleeve M, and said hub is also provided with a flangeS, adapted to be received in the groove 0 of sleeve M, By thisconstruction it will be seen that when lever P and its hub are rockedsaid parts are held against movement longitudinally of the shaft or axleB. I11 the outer periphery of the sleeve orhub of lever P is formed acam-slot T,adapted to receive the end of an arm U, securely bolted to ormounted in the main frame D.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when the lever P isrocked, the said lever and its hub being held against movementlongitudinal of the axle, the main frame D is caused to be shiftedlongitudinally of said axle by reason of the engagement of arm U in thecam-slot T of the hub of said lever. On

. periphery of said hub and arrange the same to be always underneath theaxle B throughout the entire extent of the throw of the lever P, therebyforming substantially a cup or receptacle to receive the oil or otherlubricant. The said flange is cut away, as clearly shown, in order toenable said flange S and also the flange R on the sleeve M to beintroduced into their respective grooves Q and O in said huband sleeve.Heretofore this cut-away portion of the hub of leverP has been arrangedunderneath the axle, and hence when a lubricant for the bearing faces orportions was poured into the coupling such lubricant ran out throughsuch cut-away portion and without effecting the desired lubrication, thefriction between the bearing-faces of the flange preventing thelubricant from entering the joint to be lubricated.

In my improved construction and arrangement, as above described, whereinthe cut-- away portion of the flange is always above the axle B and acup or receptacle is formed in which the lubricant is retained, theparts operate constantly in the lubricant, and hence the bearing-facesare at all times efficiently lubricated. In order to prevent theentrance of dust, dirt, or other foreign substance to the bearing, Iprovide a removable dust-shield W, adapted to cover the opening formedby the cut-away portion of the flange of the lever-hub, and which mayberemovably secured in place in any desired manner. The lubricant may beintroduced to the joint when the parts are assembled in any suitable ordesirable manner, as, for instance, through an opening 7 in thedust-shield, which may be protected in any suitable manner, as by apivoted cap 8, as shown.

In prior constructions of mowers of the type to which the presentinvention relates it was usual to pivotally support the finger-bar atthe inner end thereof. The lever I-I,through which the outer or free endof the fin ger-bar is raised and lowered, is connected to the finger-barat a point outwardly from the point of pivotal support thereof through atriangular lever 9 and a link 10. A rack 11, ar ranged to be engaged bya pawl carried by said lever, serves to maintain the lever, and hencethe outer end of the finger-bar, in the desired position to which it maybe adj usted. I-Ieretofore it has been customary to connect one end of arod to the triangular lever 9 and arranged to pass through a sleeve orother suitable perforation upon a fixed part of the main frame, and aspring was coiled upon said rod and interposed between said sleeve and anut carried upon the rod, the tendency of the spring being to assist thelever H in elevating or maintaining the outer end of the finger-bar inelevated position and permit a slight yielding movement of thefinger-bar about the axis of its pivot, as occasion might require.Moreover, since the said rod was arranged in the general direction ofinclination of the main frame, the said spring also tended to lift theinner end of the fingerbar. I have found in practice that such anarrangement of counterbalancing-spring is objectionable, and the usethereof detracts from the efficiency of the construction by rea son ofthe friction of the loose rod sliding back and forth through the sleeve,and, moreover, the use of the compression coil-spring necessitated bysuch an arrangement tends to increase the friction of operation of theseparts, and hence it was impossible to secure the desired degree of easeand facility of operation. In order to avoid the objections noted and atthe same time to cheapen and simplify the construction and arrangementand to render the same more perfect and efficient in action, I omit therod and coiled compression-spring and employ in lieu thereof atension-spring 12, which I connect at'one end thereof directly to thetriangular lever 9 and at the other end thereof to an adjustable bolt13, suitably mounted for longitudinal adjustment in arearwardly-extending arm 14 of the tongue-plate. From this constructionI obtain all the advantages of a counterbalancing-spring without thenecessity of a rod or a coiled compression-spring, and hence without theattending disadvantages,as above noted.

In the operation of a mowin g-machine of the type to which the presentinvention relates it is necessary to provide means whereby the mainframe D may be rocked about the axle B in order to raise the lower endof the main frame and the inner end of the cutter-bar bodily toaccommodate for the inequalities of the ground, in turning corners, andfor various practical reasons. In order to accomplish this result in asimple and efficient manner and with the least amount of power, Iprovide the following construction and arrangement, particular referencebeing had to Fig. 3: The ton gue-plate L, upon whichis mounted thetongue K and which also carries the drivers seat 15, is pivotallymounted, as at 16, upon the main frame D, and on an axis which lies in avertical plane to the rear of the vertical plane containing the axis ofthe shaft or axle B, and hence also to the rear of the axis about whichthe main frame D rocks. Projecting still farther toward the rear fromthe main frame D is an arm 17. A similarly rearwardly-projecting arm 18of the tongue-plate IIO main frame.

L forms a bearing for the foot-lever 19, arranged in a convenientposition to be rocked by the driver. A link 20 connects said lever withsaid rearwardly-projecting arm 17 of the From this construction andarrangement it will be seen that when the lever 19 is suit-ably actuatedin the proper direction the pressure exerted thereon is transmittedthrough the connecting-link 20 to a rearward IO extension 17 of the mainframe, thereby most effectively applying the power required to elevatethe front end of the main frame, and hence also the finger-bar. Asuitable catch or latch 21, arranged in the path of movement I5 of thelever 19, serves to engage said lever and maintain the same in positionas may be desired. Thus it will be seen that not only is thetongue-plate support rearwardly of the axis about which the main framepivots, but also the operating-lever 19 is mounted rearwardly of suchaxis, and said lever is connected to said main frame at a pointrearwardly of said axis, and hence providing a most effectivearrangement for the purposes required.

It sometimes happens that from the uneven condition of the ground orfrom other causes the main frame and the finger-bar when elevated by theactuation of lever 19, as above explained, will not readily swingdownwardly again when said lever is released. In order to obviate thisdifficulty, I provide the lever 19 with a rearward extension 25 beyondits pivot, as shown, whereby when suitably actuated by the driver themain frame may be positively rocked in a direction to lower the frontend thereof.

It will be understood that many variations in the specific details ofconstruction and arrangement would readily suggest themselves to personsskilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of myinvention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted tothe exact details of construction and arrangement shown and described;but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a form ofapparatus embodying the same and having explained the construction,function, and mode of op- ;o eration thereof, what I claim as new anduseful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a mower, asupporting-axle, a main frame mounted thereon, gearing,means for 5 shifting said main frame to engage and disengage saidgearing, and means adapted to receive and contain a lubricant in whichthe bearing-surfaces of said shifting means are arranged to operatewhereby such bearing o surfaces are constantly lubricated, as and forthe purpose set forth.

2. In a mower, a main frame, a cutter, gearing for actuating saidcutter, and means for shifting said frame to engage and disengage 5 saidgearing, comprising a sleeve, said sleeve provided with a flangearranged to engage a ter, means for shifting said main frame upon saidaxle to engage or disengage said gearing, comprising a cam-sleeve, anarm carried by said main frame and adapted to engage said cam-sleeve,said cam-sleeve provided with a flange arranged to surround the underpart of said axle, thereby forming a cup or receptacle adapted toreceive and contain a lubricant, means for rocking said sleeve, andmeans for preventing movement of said sleeve longitudinally of saidshaft; as and for the purpose set forth.

4:. In a mower, traction-wheels, a supporting-axle, a finger-bar, a mainframe mounted in said axle for supporting said finger-bar, gearing foractuating the cutter, a sleeve for coupling the traction-wheel to saidaxle, said sleeve mounted rigidly on said axle and provided with aperipheral groove and flange, a cam-hub mounted on said sleeve andprovided with a groove and flange to receive the groove and flangerespectively of said sleeve, whereby said cam-hub is held againstlongitudinal movement 011 said axle, but is permitted a rotary movement,said cam-hub flange arranged to encircle and inclose the under sideportion of said axle, thereby forming a receptacle adapted to receiveand hold a lubricant, and connections between said main frame and camfor shifting said main frame to engage and disengage said gearing; asand for the purpose set forth.

5. In a mower, traction-wheels, an axle, a main frame supported on saidaxle and carrying a finger-bar and actuating-gearing for the cutter, aratchet-sleeve rigidly mounted on said axle and constituting means forcoupling said traction-wheel and axle, said sleeve provided with aperipheral groove and flange, a cam-hub provided with a cooperatinggroove and flange, arranged to encircle and inclose the under portion ofsaid axle, thereby forming a receptacle adapted to receive and contain alubricant, said cam-hub groove and flange being cut away above-the axle,a removable dust-guard arranged to cover said cut-away portion, meansfor introducing a lubricant to said receptacle, and connections betweensaid main frame and cam-hub, whereby when said hub is rocked said frameis shifted longitudinally with respect to said axle; as and for thepurpose set forth.

6. In a mower, a supporting-axle, main .frame mounted thereon, gearingmeans for shifting said main frame to engage and'dis- In witness whereofI have hereunto set my engage said gearing, a receptacle adapted tohand'this 8th day of September, 1896'. contain a lubricant, in whichreceptaclethe v bearing-surfaces of said shifting means are 5 arrangedto operate whereby said bearing- Attest:

surfaces are constantlylubricated, as and for S. EJDARBY, the purposeset forth. 1 M. I. OAVANAGH.

DIAURICE KANE.

